Strategies for just and equitable transitions in Europe

Project Information

ST4TE

Grant agreement ID: 101132559

DOI

10.3030/101132559

EC signature date 10 November 2023

Start date 1 January 2024

End date 31 December 2026

Funded under

• Culture, creativity and inclusive society

Total cost

€ 2 999 593,75

EU contribution

€ 2 999 593,75

Coordinated by

ARISTOTELIO PANEPISTIMIO THESSALONIKIS
Greece

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ST4TE (Strategies for just and equitable transitions in Europe)

Reporting period: 2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

We are currently undergoing two major transformations: the green and digital transitions. Both are expected to generate long-term environmental benefits and create new opportunities for economic growth. However, a green and digital divide is emerging, widening the gap between individuals, regions and social groups. The two transitions, although happening simultaneously and interdependently (twin transition), follow different roadmaps and agendas. This division is leading to the emergence and widening of inequalities in society.

ST4TE adopts a multidimensional approach to study the relationship between the green, digital and twin transition (TT) and inequalities. The project aims to investigate the impact of the TT on inequalities among individuals and territories and explore how existing inequalities affect the transition paths creating cycles of inequalities. ST4TE uses both quantitative methods (econometrics, machine-learning and agent-based modelling) and qualitative methods (narrative interviews, case studies and workshops) to analyse different patterns of inequalities and envisage custom made policies to counterbalance the unequal effects of the TT. The project's key objectives are outlined below.

1. Understand and measure the different drivers of the twin transition. Focusing on technologies, skills and occupations ST4TE uses both quantitative and qualitative methodologies to measure the different drivers of the two transitions, separately and jointly.

2. Assess the impact of the green, digital and twin transition on inequalities. ST4TE focuses on inequalities created by the TT both across territories and individuals. By identifying the key drivers of the twin transition and measure progress across European regions, ST4TE aims to assess regional readiness and pinpoint existing or potential vulnerabilities among European NUTS2 regions and/or metropolitan areas. ST4TE aims to examine various forms of inequality among individuals, including income, skill-related, job-related, health-related, as well as age, gender, and other intersecting inequalities. It will also explore new forms of social inequality that may emerge or worsen due to the twin transition.

3. Assess how existing inequalities influence twin transition pathways. The project aims to understand how the twin transition can exacerbate existing inequalities, potentially creating a vicious cycle between higher inequality and unequal impacts of the transition. This analysis will consider four key drivers: policies, consumption, education, and science, technology, and innovation (STI).

4. Develop a set of tools and a policy advice framework to create socially just and inclusive twin transition policies. ST4TE will model the effects of TT policies, assess their territorial impact, and develop forward-looking scenarios, aiming to define pathways for knowledge-based policymaking, ultimately addressing the negative socio-economic effects caused by the twin transition.

5. Communicate and disseminate about the project activities and results. In particular, the project aims to maximize its visibility. By communicating and disseminating the project’s activities and progress ST4TE wants to ensure that findings reach and influence key stakeholders.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

First, an extensive review of EU policies was carried out, setting the foundation for understanding the main policies that drive the transitions and for exploring their combined transformative effects. Second, we the development of the first measures of the two transitions was completed. These can be combined to facilitate policymakers' understanding of progress towards the green, digital and twin transition, and benchmark regions. Methodological advancements were also made in other areas (e.g. skills and occupations) for measuring transition progress and linking transition processes and inequalities. These activities are planned to be concluded in the next phases of the project.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

In ST4TE, we used patent and bibliometric data to identify where green and digital technologies overlap, creating what we call a “twin transition space” that allows us to see the relationships between these technologies in a much more detailed way. This work moves the field forward, as todate there hasn’t been a structured approach to identify and track twin technologies.
Another major goal was to explore the regional inequalities emerging from the development of these technologies. Until now, no study has focused on mapping out where the twin technological transition is happening and how regional factors contribute to it. We set out to identify and map these inequalities across regions, helping to monitor progress towards twin transition goals and shed light on future technological pathways and regional disparities. This framework not only improves our understanding of technological inequalities but also offers a roadmap for policymakers and regions seeking to close these gaps.